Pages

April 11, 2013

Discussing hats and medical hair loss with Kathleen

On numerous occasions over the past year, I've had the great pleasure of being interviewed and/or asked to share some of my thoughts on certain subjects relating to hats on the terrific blog That's a pretty hat.
Earlier this week, the immensely lovely lady behind this site asked me to do just that another topic pertaining to hats, this time it was one which is certainly of a more personal nature than anything else I'd shared there before, and which I was truly honoured to be asked to speak about: Hats and medical hair loss.

In her post, Kathleen looks at hair loss due to both cancer and other medical related reasons, the latter of which my own story with hair loss falls into. Below are my thoughts, as they appeared in this informative post, which I urge you to visit as well, because you'll find more information (including a video) on this subject there as well.

As I talked about in this post back in January, my own story of hair loss began when I was 14 (14.5 to be exact) and never let up. At first it wasn't too bad, but as the years rolled on and nothing seemed to come forward as the cause or a solution to the problem (I tried mainstream and natural medicines/treatments, consulted scads of doctors, had tons of tests done, etc), my hair continued to fall out. My hair loss is somewhat equally disturbed, but there have always been bigger areas with more hair loss in the front (especially above the temples), sides and crown and these were the ones that I tried to hide (or at least better disguise) with my beloved vintage hats.

My hair loss, while aesthetically irksome, was painless (as in my scalp didn't hurt and I wasn't in any physical discomfort due to my hair falling out) and so this meant that I could wear just about any kind of hat I wanted to. If a person was experiencing scalp pain due to, or in conjunction with, their hair loss, certain types of hats (stiffer materials and tighter styles, for example) might not be ideal.

Depending on the amount of hair loss a woman is experiencing - and how much she wishes to mask the problem - she may find that she can also wear a wide range of hats. If her hair loss is minimal to moderate and/or localized to certain areas of her scalp, most styles should work for her and help conceal the fact that her hair is thinning or balding in one or more areas. If wide spread hair loss is present to a high degree, yet a woman still wishes to keep her real hair (instead of switching to a wig), than sporting larger hats (such as fedoras, cloches, wide brimmed straw and felt hats, large 1960s style pill boxes - even cowboy hats) may be more ideal for her.

One technique I found that helped give the illusion that I had more hair than I actually did was to wear my hair in a simple bun or French roll in the back (with or without a faux bang in the front) and a medium sized hat in the middle of my head. This made it look like my hair was merely tucked into the bun/roll in the back, instead of that it was quite thin all over (and worse in some spots, all of which I usually tried to hide with the hat. Here's an example (pictured below) from last September of when I sported this particular type of hat and hair combo.

I never really felt ashamed of my hair loss - I wasn't doing anything to intentionally cause it and I'd tried diligently to remedy or at least halt the problem, so I wasn't necessarily trying to use hats as a way to hide the issue all the time, but it was sincerely nice to always know that they were their for those days when I wanted to disguise the problem and/or help make it seem like I had more hair than I really did at the time.

I think that when a woman - or really anyone, for that matter - is experiencing hair loss, be it gradual or quite sudden, it feels natural to want to have something on your head (at least some of the time) to help compensate for the amount of hair that you see dwindling away each day when you look in the mirror, and hats can certainly go a very long ways in this regard.

If a person opts (or needs to) become a wig wearer, I can't urge them enough to continue to keep sporting hats. Since I started wearing a wig full time late in 2012, I've sported hats many, many times with my wig. I find that doing so really helps to add an extra element of realness to my wig, making it look more like my own natural hair (I swear, this is one of those secrets to making a wig look lifelike that has escaped the general radar but which can make a world of difference).

You may find that the wig (or wigs) you select change the overall size of your head a little (mine went up about half a hat size, but as my head is fairly small to begin with, thankfully all of my vintage hats still fit), so be mindful of this when you start buying hats after becoming a wig wearer (measure your head with your wig on and use that measurement as your hat size from here on out - or at least for as long as you wear a particular wig).

If you love hats and are experiencing hair loss, I truly hope you'll continue to keep wearing as many of your favourite toppers as possible. They can really help take your mind off of feeling conscious amount your thinning hair, as (depending on their size) they can cover some or even all (think a long 1920s style cloche) of your head and thus, only you, really know just how much, or how little, hair you actually have.

♥ ♥ ♥

Thankfully, hair loss is not something every woman will face in lifetime, but a decent number - whether on a short or long term basis - will at some point (be it due to alopecia, pregnancy, thyroid problems, stress, cancer treatment, or any one of many other possible causes), and I truly hope that those who do will continue to wear hats, if it’s something that they've long enjoyed (or have a newfound desire to try out).

Since becoming a fulltime wig wearer myself last winter, I've taken to wearing a hat (or top of wig) quite a lot of the time when I go (honestly, I'd say with about the same frequency as in my pre-wig days). I adore my vintage hats and could never imagine not including them in my wardrobe due to my hair loss - especially when they'd been such great allies to me over the years as I attempted to conceal the extent to which my locks were thinning.

Regardless of if the hair under them sprouted from my own head or comes in the form of a wig, I'll always top my tresses with a vintage chapeau! (Four examples of which, each from vintage outfit posts over the past few months, you can see below.)

I think it's fantastic that Kathleen (who is not facing medical hair loss herself) decided to talk about this important topic on her blog, and I really want to say thank you again for giving me the opportunity to chat about some of my own firsthand experience with this subject on your site.

There's nothing to be ashamed about regarding female hair loss, and I really hope that Kathleen's post (and in turn, mine here) will encourage more people to discuss their thoughts on the topic, whether they pertain to hats or not.

Wonderful article Jessica. It is really great that someone else bring attention to hair loss and how hats are great accessories. I'm sure you're bringing lots of comfort to women (and men) who are losing their hair. It's great to see someone who has strength and courage to accept herself as she is.

Love this!! Hair loss is a really common problem. My mother is experiencing hair loss due to a thyroid condition. She LOVES a good hat!! She has boxes and boxes of them. They really help her confidence! She's tried wigs and the verdict is still out on how she feels about them. I'll tell her to add her favorite hat and see if it makes it look more natural to her! Some really great advice here!! Xoxo!

Hi honey, thank you very much. I'm sorry to hear that your mom is dealing with medical hair loss, too. My own sweet mom has had a thyroid condition since she was in her twenties and has had thinning hair as a result ever since, too (so far she hasn't opted to go the wig route yet). If I can ever be of any possible help with specific questions that your mom might have, please don't hesitate to email me anytime. Us thinning (or non-existent) hair gals have to stick together!

This is wonderful! Thanks for your honesty and your friendship. I saw my mother struggle with hair loss when she had cancer. Getting the word out about the different options available is important to me.

Lovely post. I have a chronic illness but I'm lucky enough that it doesn't interfere too much with my life, and I've still got my hair. You do a great job with your new wig and your collection of hats.

What a remarkable post, Jessica. No matter what the medical ailments that cause female hair loss, I can imagine it being a trying time. I've noticed myself that my hair has thinned. I take vitamins, am mindful of my food choices, am careful with product selection and styling and still...it thins.

I haven't consulted a doctor yet, as I've drawn my own conclusions that stress is the likely culprit. Though female hair loss is a genetic factor in my family, one that I'm hoping isn't a problem until way down the line. I'm going to be 29 in a few weeks, after all.

It's nice to know there are other women out there, advocating for personal pride and not shame in their appearance and factors beyond their control.

I wasn't aware that you undergoing hair loss difficulties. Thankfully, you're not experiencing any pain with the hair loss. Your attitude regarding the entire matter is inspiring, dignified, and positive. I like that.

By the way, I think you look quite stylish in your hats. They suit you well. Keep that smile on your face. You have a beautiful one.

Dear Jessica ... You look like the most glorious sunshine for many women, I have hair thinning problems still ... but I'm sure you helps thousands of people with this problem in the world and I am very grateful to you for being so special.

I admire you! And you always look so sweet, natural and elegant - with or without hats. I've tried once loosing half of my hair. I used a very mild bleach product and then my hair kept falling off. My ponytail ended up half as thick as it used to be and there was hair everywhere. So now I don't dare doing so again. Have a lovely weekend, dear. :)

Thank you very much, sweet gal. Growing up at a time when most hats veered towards baseball caps or floppy denim toppers, I really though that hats weren't for me either, as all the styles I tried on looked horrible (at least to my eyes). What I didn't know is that I just had to wait a few years until I hit my teens and started buying vintage clothes to discover that the problem wasn't all hats, just some styles, and moreover that many vintage ones did indeed work for me. I mention this in the hopes that it encourages you to keep trying different styles, I'm convinced there's several out there that work on just about every last person.

Wow I really had no idea! It's such a natural, flawless look for you that people cannot tell at all!

It breaks my heart that so many women face this problem. But I'm glad there are fabulous solutions. Although I think I'm doomed if start to lose my hair. My head is so small (and I'm really not just saying that) hats do not fit me or they make my head look even smaller. It's a problem I've had to deal with my entire life. And it makes me kind of sad because I love hats.

Thank you for this wonderful, wonderful post! My hair is very thin and became quite thin, almost nonexistent, at my temples after pregnancy; and it has never grown back. It can be extremely challenging at times to hide all the "spots" on my head. Big fan of backcombing because of this! ;) I think that you are just so awesome and sweet!!! Great post!~xoxo, CoriLynn

What a brave and heartfelt post, Jessica, which will no doubt be so helpful and reassuring to many. You look stunning, one would never know that lovely red hair was a wig, and I love the way you style you hair with those gorgeous hats.

This is one of the reasons I read blogs: there are more real life things happening on blogs. Things we can relate to and that we can help each other with - hair loss is something difficult and i think it is brave and courageous to take a stand - it's not something to be ashamed of you deal with it like a true hero. I have confidence issues with my personal hair loss and also with my teeth (but that's another story) - i really admire how you hold your head high and wear those amazing hats and just carry on. hugs.

Great post Jessica. It takes a lot of courage for a woman to publicly discuss personal experiences hair loss; it is such a difficult subject for many women. Kudos to you for being willing to discuss your own struggles and solutions for the benefit of other women out there who may be struggling!

I'm so glad that ladies like the two of you have brought up and discussed this topic...so many women feel alone when it comes to things like this, and an open discussion helps them to realise there are others out their going through the same thing...and better than that it helps them to find out what has/hasn't worked for others and help them to gain much needed info. I'm sure many women will be both comfort and bolstered by this post...you do look smashing in your hats. xx Shauna

Thanks for your comment! I'm always pleased when a "big" blogger notices my humble mustard-colored abode.I think if everyone could work a wig like you, we'd all be shaving our heads and skipping to Wigs'R'Us and then down the street to Hat-Porium! I particularly like the photo at the top of this post- with the veil. I've got glasses and have been wondering if it's possible to do a veil- 'tis!

Yet again a wonderful post on a topic dear to many women's hearts but rarely talked about. Hair loss is really common in the Dysautonomia community (as is a love of vintage fashion!)so will be sharing this great post as well. Thank you xx

Doesn't matter..You are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing this intimate part of your life, and helping others that may be afflicted with the same condition...You rock my friend!! In a vintage sort of way!! ♥

I think this is a really important subject to talk about and I am sure your wise words will help many people who find themselves in a similar situation. I always like seeing your hat choice in your outfit posts. You look great in them.

This is a great post Jessica. Like other readers here, I would never have known you had any hair loss if I hadn't seen you mention it before, in fact I've envied your lovely red hair. I had heavy hair loss after each of my four children were born, each time it took a couple of years for my hair to regrow and I did find it very demoralising. At the time I didn't have the confidence to wear hats but I wish I had, like you say, it's a matter of finding what style of hats suit you. Back then I just thought I looked silly in them, but it would have made me feel so much better and more in control of how I looked if I could have put on a hat and not worried about my hair so much. xx

You're fortunate it's acceptable for women to wear hats pretty much anywhere and for any occasion. As a guy, I have to deal with the Etiquette Nazi's. I began balding at about 9 years old and was able to hide it more or less until high school when it began to get worse and I started wearing hats. If baldness was the only problem I would have just shaved my head, however It was just the beginning of a medical condition the left the top of my head, and forehead disfigured and scared. I've reached the point that I'm not able to hide it anymore and just look ridiculous trying to, so I preparing to shave it all off.

The biggest problem I have is how to handle people that feel the need to confront me about breaching proper hat etiquette. Yes, I wear hats indoors, at dinners, church etc. though I try to wear one that is appropriate for each occasion. When approached about it, I usually just up and leave; and now for the most part I avoid situations that may require I remove my hat.

Thank you very much for your comment and sharing some of your own person hair loss story with me. I'm deeply sorry that you've been plagued by this problem since such a tender age. I really admire your courage to talk openly about it.

There are few modern settings when a man can't wear a hat indoors any more, especially if it's a more formal/traditional style (such as a fedora or homburg), and it's a shame that you're received negative comments when you've done so. Please don't let such narrow-minded/rude individuals sour your desire to enjoy going out in public. You have every right to wear a hat with pride and dignity, and if someone says something to you, just take them aside and polity mention that due to medical hair loss (or just medical reasons point blank) and that you would appreciate if they could keep their comments and judgement to themselves (a hat worn for medical reasons, is I believe, just as valid as one for for religious reasons, and few people would have the gall to say anything to someone wearing one because of their faith, so why should they because it's for something as equally intimate and private, one's health).

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.